An American Insurrection: James Meredith and the Battle of Oxford, Mississippi, 1962 [Paperback]

William Doyle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 7, 2003

In 1961, a black veteran named James Meredith applied for admission to the University of Mississippi — and launched a legal revolt against white supremacy in the most segregated state in America. Meredith’s challenge ultimately triggered what Time magazine called “the gravest conflict between federal and state authority since the Civil War,” a crisis that on September 30, 1962, exploded into a chaotic battle between thousands of white civilians and a small corps of federal marshals. To crush the insurrection, President John F. Kennedy ordered a lightning invasion of Mississippi by over 20,000 U.S. combat infantry, paratroopers, military police, and National Guard troops.

Based on years of intensive research, including over 500 interviews, JFK’s White House tapes, and 9,000 pages of FBI files, An American Insurrection is a minute-by-minute account of the crisis. William Doyle offers intimate portraits of the key players, from James Meredith to the segregationist Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett, to President John F. Kennedy and the federal marshals and soldiers who risked their lives to uphold the Constitution. The defeat of the segregationist uprising in Oxford was a turning point in the civil rights struggle, and An American Insurrection brings this largely forgotten event to life in all its drama, stunning detail, and historical importance.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“One of the best narratives to chronicle the epic contest between African Americans bent on freedom and their most fanatic opponents.” –The Washington Post

“A compelling account of how the last battle of the Civil War came to be fought.... Precise and evocative.” –San Jose Mercury News

“Doyle has brought back into our historical consciousness a moment so shameful that it almost disappeared from memory.” –Houston Chronicle

“A dramatic tale.... Provide[s] fascinating detail of the inner workings of the White House and the weighing of political consequences for any decision.” –News & Observer

“A balanced narrative filled with fresh and important details.” –Wilson Quarterly

“Harrowing.... A riveting narrative.... [Doyle] describes the ebb and flow of the riot with more immediacy than any previous author has.” –The Times-Picayune

“An absorbing, important book.” –The Dallas Morning News

“A story of heroes, villains and cowards.... Doyle provides a captivating view of the motivations, both personal and political, of all the main players in the drama.” –Post & Courier (Charleston, SC)

“A fascinating contribution to civil rights history.” –Booklist

“Doyle has written a vivid portrait and riveting account....These insights render not only exciting, action-packed reading, but more importantly, a better understanding of what it means to be an American citizen.” –The Decatur Daily

“A riveting, true-life thriller.” –The Sacramento Bee

From the Inside Flap

In 1961, a black veteran named James Meredith applied for admission to the University of Mississippi ? and launched a legal revolt against white supremacy in the most segregated state in America. Meredith?s challenge ultimately triggered what Time magazine called ?the gravest conflict between federal and state authority since the Civil War,? a crisis that on September 30, 1962, exploded into a chaotic battle between thousands of white civilians and a small corps of federal marshals. To crush the insurrection, President John F. Kennedy ordered a lightning invasion of Mississippi by over 20,000 U.S. combat infantry, paratroopers, military police, and National Guard troops.

Based on years of intensive research, including over 500 interviews, JFK?s White House tapes, and 9,000 pages of FBI files, An American Insurrection is a minute-by-minute account of the crisis. William Doyle offers intimate portraits of the key players, from James Meredith to the segregationist Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett, to President John F. Kennedy and the federal marshals and soldiers who risked their lives to uphold the Constitution. The defeat of the segregationist uprising in Oxford was a turning point in the civil rights struggle, and An American Insurrection brings this largely forgotten event to life in all its drama, stunning detail, and historical importance.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (January 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385499701
• ISBN-13: 978-0385499705
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TRUE STORY THAT READS LIKE A NOVEL, March 30, 2003

By 

Barry Bradford (Deerfield, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An American Insurrection: James Meredith and the Battle of Oxford, Mississippi, 1962 (Paperback)

William Doyle brilliantly recreates a little remembered incident that challenged America to its core: the attempt of an Air Force veteran named James Meredith to exercise his right to go to school. That would, on the surface, seem an easy task. However the year was 1962, the school was the University Of Mississippi, and the citizen was African American. The battle which took place left an armed force occupying an American campus, two people dead, and a nation facing the inevitable moral conflict brought about by segregation.

Doyle's research is superb; he uncovers evidence, testimony, and events which have never before been reported. At the same time, the writing is crisp, exciting and momentous - events race along spinning out of the control of the racist Governor (Ross Barnett), the vacillating President (John Kennedy) and the cool observer (Meredith himself)

Readers wanting to know more about the Civil Rights Movement, human courage, and the Kennedy Administration will, naturally, find this book to be fascinating. However, any citizen who wants an exciting read about the history of their nation should buy this remarkable book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, May 3, 2008

By 

Saintaholic (South) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: An American Insurrection: James Meredith and the Battle of Oxford, Mississippi, 1962 (Paperback)

I gave this book to my Dad who attended Ole Miss at the same time Meredith was there. He felt the book was an accurate depiction of the events and has throughly enjoyed reading it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Race and politics at Ole Miss., October 14, 2004

By 

Kevin M Quigg (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: An American Insurrection: James Meredith and the Battle of Oxford, Mississippi, 1962 (Paperback)

This is a great book. The story takes place in 1962 when a black veteran James Meredith tries to enroll in University of Mississippi. Since Ole Miss is a white school, he is refused. After court injunctions, the Mississippi state government and Governor Ross Barnett flatly refuse to enroll Meredith. The Federal Government through similar attempts also tries to enroll Meredith. Finally two weeks into the fall semester, Federal Marshalls and government troops are called into action to enroll Meredith. White students and right wing radicals from surrounding states decide to confront Meredith and the registration process and a riot/battle ensures. The battle is the climax of the book. It is amazing this happened in my lifetime. I am surprised how narrow minded these people were in intregating the University of Mississippi.
I commend Doyle on a great book. He tells the story with suspense so it becomes a page turner. This is not a short book, but the reading flows well and it becomes an easy read because of how the author approaches the subject. This book also is well researched and is ground breaking telling the reader of a little known conflict that most people now would like forgotten.
Great story.